"Welcome, Rosie and Russell!"

God’s love is meteoric, His loyalty astronomic,
His purpose titanic, His verdicts oceanic.  Yet
in His largeness nothing gets lost; not a man,
not a mouse, slips through the cracks.
Psalm 36:6 (The Message)

 
Just over three weeks ago as I looked out my bedroom window, what did I see but two little red tabby kittens, who appeared to be about six weeks old, frolicking in my neighbor's backyard.  There, overseeing their antics was their red feral momma, whom I've named Merci, who I've been feeding day and night for the past year and a half along with other occasional visitors.

I'd been attempting to trap Merci off and on all this time in the hopes of having her vaccinated and spayed to stop the vicious cycle of litter after litter being produced and the great stress this has placed on her, but to no avail.  Even when I'd withhold food from her a bit and no matter how hungry she might be, she'd never take the bait and enter the trap.

I'm aware of a few litters Merci has had but found out through another neighbor, who also does rescue, that Merci has been outdoors longer than I was aware and that she has never been able to trap her either.  However, she was able to Trap/Neuter/Release a litter of three that Merci delivered in the spring of 2012.  So I know Merci's been out there and producing since at least then and perhaps before.  I rescued one of her babies in the spring of 2013, Gracie Anna, when she was 5-6 months old and have since given her a happy home inside.  There were also four kittens delivered in the summer of 2013 who have found homes in the neighborhood. 

Now, time to rescue kittens again.  So, out went the trap in my neighbor's yard where they were living, and my vigil began to catch them.  No way was I going to let them live in the harsh outdoor conditions and face the many potential dangers of growing up a wild cat like their mom and producing untold litters.  If rescued now they were still young enough to properly socialize and to help mold into happy, well-behaved domesticated house cats.

Day two and I still had nothing.  Then late in the afternoon I heard the familiar sound of a cat trap door slamming shut.  I couldn't believe what I saw next - Merci in the trap!  Never did I expect that she'd go in since I'd failed at every attempt up to this point, and besides that, she had all the food in the world just a few steps from where she was, over on my patio.  In fact, I'd been placing more food out and refilling more frequently over the past couple of months since she was quickly gobbling everything up.  That's when I knew she must be pregnant again or have babies.  I had figured it was hopeless to believe I'd ever trap her but there she was.  Now I had a dilemma - let her go and know I'd never trap her again, or take her and get her spayed, leaving the kittens without their mom.

Well, since I knew this was most likely my only and last chance to capture Merci and I was confident the kittens were old enough to eat on their own, I decided this was the time to get Merci spayed and I'd place food and water out for the kittens until I could trap them.  One thing at a time.

With the help of my feral rescue contact, who went above and beyond, arrangements were made to get Merci to a feral rescue group and then taken to the vets the next day for spaying, deworming and vaccinations.  According to the veterinarian, she seems to be in fine shape and very healthy.  After recuperating from surgery on a neighbor's screened-in porch, Merci was re-released into my community where I'll continue to care for her each day.  Though she's a feral cat and I'll never be able to get close or touch her, my heart goes out to her and I love her.  She's a beautiful girl!

I was able to rescue Merci's kittens during her brief absence and begin their socialization, setting them on the track of, "much loved, spoiled, rotten cats"!  What a joy to have little ones running around and to know that God saw them and their need and chose us to help.  It amazes me how much the Lord cares for all of His creatures, great and small, and didn't let this feline family "slip through the cracks".  It causes me to realize how much more He loves you and me!  Thank You, Lord, for Your provision and for the kindness, compassion and generosity of those who helped in this endeavor.  May they be richly blessed.  Thank You, Father, that nothing goes unnoticed or is lost with You. 

"Joy and Good Friends"

What could be better

Than joy and good friends?

These blessings in abundance

I pray the Lord send

To all those I know

And those yet to meet

Prosperity in unity

As we walk in God's peace.

Finding words of encouragement

To each other to speak

Helping in prayer

Those who are weak.

Demonstrating love

God's commandments to keep

Allowing no bitterness

Into our hearts to come creep.

Freely forgiven

No grudge we will hold

But ask, kindle kindness

Father, come mold

A people into your image

Only grace to reflect

Keep us from evil

Lord, defend and protect.

To be alive in Your Spirit

But dead to the flesh

As we go through our days

May we have no regrets.

For we follow the Shepherd

And our hearts overflow

Only with a good theme

His nature to show.

Praising the Lord

We will not forsake

Joining together

But time we will make

For those God has given

As we come face to face

Sharing our lives

Growing in grace.

Scripture Meditation:

Psalm 133:1-3 - Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.  It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore.

Romans 12:18 -  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Ephesians 5:1-2 - Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.   And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Ephesians 5:19 - Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs...

Galatians 6:2 - Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.   For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. but woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.   Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.  And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Psalm 45:1 - My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
Hebrews 10:24-25 -  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Acts 2:46-47 -  So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,  praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

(A page from my inspirational scrapbook)

"Shelter Sweeties"

These are just a few pictures of some of my feline friends at the shelter where I volunteer.  Look at those beautiful faces!  Some of them have been here for months and others much longer.  There are young ones and old ones, those with special needs, "lookers" and just ordinary critters, all looking for a home and a human to call their own.

Dogs and cats come into the shelter every day, off the streets, stray and abandoned, neglected and abused, while many are owner surrendered for one reason or another. 

It breaks my heart every time I visit but the pictures in my mind of their pleading faces continue to draw me back to hold them, love them, to bring them goodies, to play and to reassure them that they are precious and loved and worth adopting.

I believe we need them and they need us too.  God put them here for a reason.  He takes delight in His creatures and delights that we take pleasure in them and care for them as well .

Creature comforts

A paw on my face

Nuzzling my neck

Trust in me placed.

A charcoal kitty

Looks with wistful, golden eyes

Yet they are also hopeful

As he says, 'Would you be mine?'

Then another approaches,

And another in need

Will they find forever homes?

Their eyes seem to plead.

Some may need a little patience

Some are wild, others shy

Some have been here so long

Wondering, 'Why?'

They may not be a "looker"

And they just get passed by

Will they get a second chance

To sit by a side?

Will a warm bed be offered

Some nourishing dish?

'I've so much to offer'

Spoken through soft purrs and licks.

I find it hard to leave them

And so I ask the Lord to hold

To keep them safe and care for them

Until He would unfold

To those He's called to rescue

Finding these a place

A lodging in the heart of one

Who would extend God's grace.

The compassionate and loving

Gaining so much in return

From unexpected teachers

In critter clothes to learn.

"Rejoice"

This is the day the Lord has made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

Every day is a new day full of possibilities.  God made the day for us to enjoy and to rejoice in the blessings of life "today", to view it as a new adventure and seize every opportunity to glorify Him through finding reasons to be glad.

There are things that can surely drag me down and sometimes I really have to purposely look for the good and remember to be grateful. Anybody else ever get the pity party going? But rather than remaining focused inwardly I pray the Lord to lift my head toward Heaven and God, to listen to the truth that makes me free from all that can bog me down. After all, He is the lifter of my head and He is faithful.

I'm glad today to finally feel a lot better after having the flu for the past two weeks.  I'm grateful to have gotten out of the house early this morning to walk my precious dog, Gideon - even in the rain!  He was  so frisky and had a blast.  Never mind the mud.  He didn't let the dreary looking day dampen his spirits and I had fun too.  He's such a happy pup and makes me smile. 

Thank You, Lord, for joy first thing this morning with my "baby" and for all of Your blessings.  Thank You for the promises found in Your word that are mine and make my heart sing, rejoice and be glad in this new day.

Scripture Meditation:

Psalm 3:3-4 - But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.  I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill.
Psalm 9:1-2 -  I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.  I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
Psalm 32:11 - Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Psalm 33:20-22 -  Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.  For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.  Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You.
Psalm 45:7 - ...Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness more than your companions.
Psalm 70:4 - But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you...
Psalm 100:1-5 - Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.
Psalm 149:5 - Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds.
Ephesians 2:6 - ...and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus...
Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
1 Thessalonians 5:16 - Rejoice always...
Zephaniah 3:17 - The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
2 Chronicles 6:41 - ...may your saints rejoice in your goodness.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 - Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls— yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.

(A page from my inspirational scrapbook)

"Purr-fect Therapy"

Anyone who lives with cats totally understands this picture which says it all...cats rule, and we'll readily give up our comfort for the sake of our feline children.

There's nothing like the peaceful feeling they bring as they curl up with us, motors running, completely content as we snuggle together.

There have been times when I've tossed and turned, unable to sleep until one of my kitties comes to visit me late in the night, lulling me to sleep with their sweet singing purrs and the feel of their soft fur.

Yes, I am a cat lover to the extreme and make no apologies for it.  They are sweet and delightful gifts from God who have often spoken to my troubled soul, soothing, comforting and helping, I believe, by God's hands to help slow down my racing thoughts as the Lord ushers in His peace.

Thank You, Lord, for all of Your awesome and most precious creatures!  Nothing is wasted with You.

(A page from my inspirational scrapbook)

"As a Child"

The Lord has appeared of old to me, 

saying: “Yes, I have loved you with
an everlasting love; therefore with
lovingkindness I have drawn you. 

Jeremiah 31:3 

When I saw this picture I just knew there was something the Lord wanted to speak through it.  Though the Lord was speaking some personal things to me, ultimately it was His perfect love I knew He wanted to express through the message of the gift of Salvation through His Son Jesus Christ that He offers to all.

As we are entering the Christmas season I am ever mindful of the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate.  There is nothing and will never be anything greater than the gift of God's love and His redeeming power through Christ.

There is no gift, no amount of money or anything that this life may have to offer that could equal His immeasurable love to save our dying souls as God the Father offered up His Son to pay the price for all sin.

My heart and my life belong to Him and I am forever grateful that He looked upon me and offered me redemption and a life set free in Him and that the same is offered to every man, woman and child.

My prayer is that all around the world we would hear and respond to the voice of His Holy Spirit who draws us by God's everlasting love to become the new creation in Christ Jesus He longs for us to be and that we would live our lives fresh and anew for Him.

Thank You, Heavenly Father!  May Christ truly be the center of it all, not just at Christmastime but every day of our life.

Come unto God the Father

In purity and without guile

Receive the Kingdom of Heaven

Innocent as a child.

Know the love of Jesus

Feel His warm embrace

Live a life of freedom

Victory by His grace.

Each day approach in newness

In Jesus Christ, rejoice

Garments of praise to cover

Raise holy hands and voice.

Feast on the word He's given

Let a heart be formed

That God Himself is shaping

In all that are reborn.

Trusting Him more fully

With every passing day

Grown up, His disciple

All sin washed away.

By blood that is all-sufficient

Shed by One Who paid the price

The sinless, spotless, Lamb of God

Clothed in brilliant light.

Throughout your days He'll hold you

Never to let go

For He is true and faithful

And longs for you to know

The mysteries of Heaven

The promises that await

The perfect plan He has for those

Who take His hand by faith.

Let the joy of His salvation

Permeate your life

Filling every corner

Immersed in Jesus Christ.

Scripture Meditation:
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:3 - Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. 

Matthew 18:2-3 - Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,  and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

(A page from my inspirational scrapbook)

"In Everything Give Thanks"

As we're winding down the month of November and the year I'm reflecting on all the many things for which I am grateful to God.  And though we have just ended the holiday of Thanksgiving, my prayer is that the Lord would open our eyes, that not only for a day or a month out of the year would we be thankful, but every day to purpose in our hearts to seek out, find and acknowledge the multitude of blessings that the Lord so graciously provides.

The Lord's mercies are new every morning and His compassions they fail not.  Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me, and reason enough to sing Your praises every day!

Link to the hymn, "Great is Thy Faithfulness" 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI_3KqWQ6OA

(A page from my  inspirational scrapbook)